Far too often we have attended barbeques and gatherings on this day and the meaning behind the day is never mentioned.  I spend Memorial Day remembering my grandfather. He joined the Army as a Private and retired as a Full Colonel. Along the way he raised 12 children and fought in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He was a kind man who always let me “do his hair” and sent me coupons in the mail when I cried because my mom refused to let me play with hers. One Christmas I cried because my brothers had more Christmas ornaments than me and my grandfather sent me all sorts of random ornaments (many of them even Easter related). I still have these ornaments on the tree every year. My grandfather passed away from Leukemia, likely related to exposure to gas while in battle. I choose to spend this day remembering him.

If your business is open on Monday you can still recognize those who have died for our country. Ask your customers who they are remembering on Memorial Day or hang a flag outside of your shop for the day. If you are off work, do something small to remember those who have gone before us. Visit a military cemetery or talk to your kids about what Memorial Day really means. Thank a soldier—chances are they are spending the day remembering the friends they have lost, which can be a very heavy burden.

Who will you be remembering on Monday and how will you be recognizing them?

The company will be offering $30 off of any window tint package, as well as a variety of other deals on detailing and car audio.

“We’re excited to open the doors of our brand new Tint World store here in Greensboro and can’t wait to let customers into our modern showroom so they can see the professional work we do, especially as the car audio leaders of North Carolina,” says store owners Daniel Apa and Joe Fazio. “This franchise has been delivering quality service for over 30 years and the brand new state-of-the-art facility is staffed with hand-selected Mobile Electronic Certified Professional (MCEP) installation staff. We’re sure our customers will find a whole new experience at Tint World.”

Attendees can pre-register online for an early bird discounted price of $179 for non-IWFA members and $149 for IWFA members. Those attending can save $50 by taking advantage of the best rates during early bird registration, which will be available until June 29—regular pre-registration ends August 31. An attendee registration includes registration to all seminars, workshops and admittance to the Exhibition/Extravaganza. Other special event options are available for an additional cost.

Contestant registration is open now through July 27. Registration to compete in the Automotive and/or Architectural Divisions of the International Window Film Tint-Off is $250 for IWFA members and $350 for non-IWFA members. Contestants interested in competing in both divisions will receive a discounted price of $450 for IWFA members and $650 for non-IWFA members. Contestant registration includes all seminars, one ticket to the Gala Awards Reception and Ceremony, and access to the IWFC Exhibition/Extravaganza where the competitions will be held.

The IWFC is co-sponsored by Window Film magazine and the International Window Film Association. Auto Glass Week™ also will be held concurrently. The event is managed by Window Film magazine.

Visit http://www.windowfilmmag.com/iwfc/ to register for the event.

Sunshield has spent years explaining the benefits to government officials and urging them to add protection to buildings in the area.

“The turning point was when officials saw a school building we had protected in southern Israel that was hit by a Kassam rocket. All the windows that had security film on them were shattered in place while all windows in an adjacent building collapsed and people were injured,” says Uriel Nathan, CEO and owner of Sunshield. “Due to several projects where we installed films that proved to be life-saving, we had presented a plan to the ministry of defense to budget and prioritize security film installations in strategic buildings throughout the country which were vital for the normal routine of life. The Israeli hospitals project is a direct result of our efforts.”

With so many plans for installation at different hospitals the project has proved to be challenging. Hospitals also provide additional challenges when it comes to patient safety.

“Working in three to four public hospitals at the same time is a very complex task, as the work needs to be completed fast and well. Our installers and project managers must work in perfect harmony with the hospital staff. There must be a very good understanding with the hospital executives of the importance of this strategic work. That’s why, for example, before entering each hospital we urge our contacts to notify by e-mail all staff members regarding the work that will be done so everyone is prepared and they know what to do,” says Nathan. “From the installer point of view we have instructed all our teams to pay extra attention to special circumstances such as working in operation rooms, heart patients, maternity wards and nurseries.”

Sunshield used Llumar eight mil clear and solar combined security films on all of the hospitals. A total of 25 Sunshield installers have been involved in this project.

“This is not our first project installing security films for hospitals,” says Nathan.  “In the second Lebanon War and in Operation “Cast Lead” we found ourselves working around the clock protecting hospitals in Northern and Southern Israel with missiles falling around us.  In these tense times of uncertainty the importance of this project taking place before the next military tension is of great strategic and psychological value.”

“The forum is a great way for Geoshield to expand its worldwide presence and continue to bring high quality window film products to market,” says Beau Dingler, vice president for Geoshield. “We’re excited for the next forum and are looking forward to all new opportunities.”

The company’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization, decreased by $3 million compared to the first quarter of last year. The company’s report attributes this decrease to “increased raw material costs and higher manufacturing costs.”

The court documents state that Larose without any justification and in the interest of acquiring something, misled or attempted to mislead Jean-Sébastien Boyer into carrying out an act using threats, accusations or violence. The documents specify that he forced Boyer to be a part of a trade association and prevented him from freely working in the window film industry.

The documents charge Larose with the same offense against Pier-Luc Paré, Christian Bouchard and David Thibeault. Charges of assault and battery against Paré, Bouchard, Thibeault and Boyer were also made.

Larose was also accused of five counts of  “intentionally or in disregard of the consequences of his act, caused by fire or explosion damage to a good that did not fully belong to him.” The locations include the Tech-Teinte trade, the Or du pare Brise trade, Or Tint trade, property of 9098-5698 Quebec, Inc.

“I am very pleased that the Quebec Provincial Police persevered with the long investigation that ultimately resulted in charges being laid against Yannick Larose,” says Christian Bouchard of Reflex Teinte. “I was one of the victims of his activities and, with his having pleaded guilty, justice will be well served.”

Larose was arrested in August of 2009 and released on bail. He will face sentencing on October 16 and the judge has been notified that the prosecutors intend to seek jail time in sentencing.

The Olympics is coming up this year in London and there are approximately 400,000 square feet of security film that needs to be installed within 40 days. So it’s all hands on deck—or in my case all one and a half hands. Any tips on how to install with a broken wrist?

In my travels it is interesting to note the differences between installers and their tools. My first trip to the U.K. was for training and evaluating some installers. I was surprised that they all had the same sprayer—it’s literally a pesticide sprayer. You know the hand pump two gallon container with the long metal spray nozzle and about four feet of hose. When I watched them install it actually took a long time to get the window/film wet because these sprayers don’t generate a lot of pressure. It just so happened I took my small three gallon stainless steel pressurized canister with 25 feet of hose along on the trip. When I pulled it out they were looking at it like it was a spaceship. When I showed them how it sprayed they jumped back and said “Holy %$#&, that’s a fire hose.”

Another difference is ladders. They don’t use tall ladders. There was one small window they had to install on the exterior of the building and that was on the second floor. It’s only 15 feet up. I ask them where their ladder is and they said, “Oh, we can’t use a ladder for that. It’s too dangerous. We’ll have to come back and erect a tower.” A tower over there is like our small scaffolding on wheels. They are all great guys over there, but no wonder we won our Independence.

One of the similarities on both sides of the “pond” is most of us use our teeth to peel the film liner, which brings us to our results from last months survey.

Last month my survey asked how you peel the liner. Let’s just say the results are in and I think all dental associations should be dues-paying members of our IWFA (Hear that John Parker?).

An overwhelming majority grind our teeth to extract the film liner at 69.4 percent. In second place we had a tie between fingers and finger nails at 11.1 percent each. “Other” accounted for 5.6 percent while “tape” brought up the rear at 2.8 percent. All those who don’t use their teeth are either very talented installers or don’t have any teeth left.

This month I would like to ask my fellow window film dealers how many different film manufacturers’ products you sell. Don’t worry; there is no way for us to track who you are and how you answered.

       Quote of the Month

“ Every bad precedent originated as a justifiable measure.”

Gaius Sallustius Crispus (c. 86–35/45 B.C.), Roman historian.

“Does anyone know where window films got their start?” asked Amanda Nawara, Business Development Consultant for West Michigan Glass Coatings. “The product actually grew out of a metallic film that was used in the space program.” She continued to explain to attendees the many benefits of window film such as reduction of temperature imbalances indoors, reduction of glare from windows, and providing a uniform, polished appearance on buildings.

Nawara further explained energy savings calculations to determine return-on-investment.  “Depending on whether you live in a warmer or cooler climate, your investment will net a 2-5 year payback when using window film.” Of particular interest to the audience was her claim, “You can obtain points for LEED projects, mostly between 1-2.”

Next, Joe Bockheim, Sr., discussed the differences between safety and security films and their uses for keeping broken glass contained, bomb-blast resistant and hurricane resistant applications.

The program completed with a demonstration of various films, how they allow daylighting but block UV rays. Bockheim stated, “According to the DOE, window film is the 4^th top energy-saving product. The main benefit is HVAC will be significantly reduced for the life of the film.”